Fall is a Great Time to Spice Up Your Spirits

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It’s time to get fired up…with cocktails, that is! Spices are a fun way to add unexpected flavors to more mellow cocktail recipes. Spicy flavors continue to be a big food trend, so why not introduce it to your glass? Below are cocktail recipes to try at home and tips to spice up your favorite drinks.

1 splash of fresh lemonadeCombine all ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice; stir gently.

The Blinker

1½ oz Tijuana Sweet Heat 3 oz ginger beer

1 splash of fresh lemonadeCombine all ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice; stir gently.

GF Southside

1½ oz Svedka Grapefruit Jalapeño Vodka ¾ oz simple syrup

¾ oz fresh lime juice

1 mint sprigCombine first three ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass and garnish with mint sprig.

Heat up your very own cocktails and spirits with these five tips:

Season your glass rim

If your drink is on the mild or sweet side, you can easily add some fire by rimming the glass with spices–say, a mixture of salt and chili powder. If you’re feeling extra bold, consider moistening your rim with hot sauce instead of water or juice.

Create a spicy syrup

Balance your heat with a little sweet by creating a simple syrup that has a hot kick–jalapeno simple syrup, anyone?

Infuse your spirit

If you’re hoping to shake up spicy cocktails all season long, infuse some fiery flavor into vodka, gin, rum or tequila by steeping jalapenos, habaneros or, if you’re feeling incredibly daring, ghost peppers in it. Control the heat level with how long you infuse your spirit and what kind of pepper you use.

Muddle Hot Peppers

For a potent punch, muddle your favorite hot pepper with simple syrup and a fresh herb before mixing a cocktail.

Garnish with a hot pepper

Add a visual element to your glass with a hot pepper garnish. Drop it in the drink for some extra oomph.